An FCT High Court has adjourned proceedings in the ongoing corruption trial of Professor Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), to November 19 and 20.
Presiding over the case, Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu postponed the hearing following the conclusion of the cross-examination of the prosecution’s key witness.
The witness, Attahiru Ibrahim, a former director at NHIA, confirmed during his testimony that he had submitted the initial petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which triggered the investigation into Prof. Yusuf’s activities while in office.
However, the trial could not proceed as planned due to a bereavement experienced by the witness.
The EFCC has filed five-count charges against Prof. Yusuf, accusing him of corruption, abuse of office, and conflict of interest during his time as head of NHIA (formerly NHIS) in 2016.
According to the EFCC, Prof. Yusuf approved the purchase of a vehicle valued at N49,197,750, exceeding the budgeted amount of N30,000,000, thereby allegedly violating financial regulations.
He is also accused of having a vested interest in GK Kanki Foundation, a private organization.
The EFCC alleges that Yusuf improperly awarded a N10.1 million contract to the foundation to conduct training for 90 people, even though only 45 participants were actually trained.
Prof. Yusuf has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
